Endometrial ablation or Hysterectomy?

This week after a visit to the OB/GYN, I have been given the bad news that the few fibroids I had have grown. I have had horrid periods lately and really painful sex plus other issues. My OB wants to do something to take care of this problem. He is suggesting an endometrial ablation but also said a hysterectomy is not out of the picture. He said that there is a chance that even with the ablation, a hysterectomy may still have to happen eventually. I have been doing some research and the ablation sounds like a good idea but read that some women begin bleeding again within a few years or have alot of cramps and pain with minimal bleeding. These women end up getting the hysterctomy anyways. Our family is complete so the issue of my fertility is not one.

Has anyone had either procedure? If you dont mind, what were the side effects, recovery time, etc? And lastly would you choose the same procedure if you had the chance? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Comments (12)

I had a Hysterectomy 6 months ago. They did it laporospicly (sp?) and it was a out patient surgery. It was a fairly easy procedure. Painful for a week but was back to normal by 6wks. Message me if you have anymore questions.

I had a ablation december 2010, for endo, heavy bleeding issues and constantly getting cysts that like to attach themselves @@. Anyway the ablation works great! But I still do have a normal period every month but no bleeding which is awesome.

I do believe my cysts are returning tho as I have been having pain for 3 monthes. We are talking hysto but I will be keeping a diary for a month first to find the pattern because I have no idea what time of month my period would be. I only know its around because of pain and a few pimples lol.

He has also mentioned Lupron to me but I am seriously not interested in it. Also he wants to put me on birth control as that might control my symptions. But seriously.. a hysto is still in my future. I am 42 btw.

Thats the ting right there...he wants to do the ablation to control the bleeding but not as treatment for the fibriods. Therefore they will still grow and a hysterectomy may be in my future anyway. Im trying to debate if I want to skip the 1st step and just get it all out now.

I have had both done. I had an ablation for excessive bleeding (no fibroids) but the bleeding returned after 2 years so I opted for a hystrectomy. BEst thing ever! It was laproscopic and it was about 4-6 weeks of recovery but I had a bladder repair at the same time so NO lifting anything over 10 pounds. I am so glad I went through with the hysterectomy, the only reason I did not do it first is because my insurnace said no fibroids no hystectomy so I did the ablation first.

I had a hysterectomy 6 months ago and it's been great!!! No more pain, no more bleeding!!! I had mine for endometriosis and I have never regretted my decision. We are done having kids and everything has been great!!!

I am having a tubal and an ablation done in several months. So yes the ablation at least is something I would have done. I have no fibroids or other issues of that kind. I just have horrid periods. I am 39.

I haven't had this, but my mom did...she had an ablation and when because her doc refused to do a histo. She dealt with pain and heavy flow for about 5-6 years (and 3 docs) after the ablation, before she found one willing to do a histo. She had it laproscopically (sp) and was hanging shelves by the end of the week. She said it was the best thing she could have done; she just wished she could have had it sooner and not done the ablation first. She said it was a complete waste of time, since she knew she was done having kids. Good luck!

I had a tubal and ablation done in Aug11. Best thing ever. I have not had a period since september, about 1 day a month I get light spotting but thats about it. Ive never had any fibriod issues so I don't know how that effects the ablation. My coworker had ablation done about 8 years ago. It was perfect for 6 1/2 yrs but she ended up having to have a hysterectomy about a year ago for cyst and fibroids. But for 6 1/2 yrs she never had a period.